Calvin Ridgeway
HESSTON — Calvin Ridgeway, 88, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2014, at Bethesda Home in Goessel. He was born on Sept. 18, 1925, in DuQuoin, Ill., the son of Calvin J. and May Stevenson Ridgeway.
Calvin attended schools in DuQuoin. After graduation from high school, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a cook. After his stint in the service, Calvin went to work for Sherwin-Williams Paint Company in Kansas City, Mo., as the assistant manager of the Brookside store where he worked for 39 years.
He married Frances F. Schlotthauer on May 15, 1949, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion. In 1950, he was confirmed at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Kansas City. In 1999, the Ridgeways celebrated 50 years of marriage by renewing their vows at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Maui, Hawaii.
In 1986, Calvin moved to Marion with his wife to help care for his mother-in-law. When she needed to go to a nursing home, the Ridgeways moved to a retirement home at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, where they resided for 13 years. After Calvin started to have memory loss, they transferred to the Villa’s assisted living for four years. He was later transferred to Bethesda Home in Goessel.
Calvin’s favorite things to do were playing pool, cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, bowling, fishing, and traveling.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Frances of Hesston; and sisters-in-law Betty J. Ridgeway of DuQuoin and Lois Johnson of Marion. Calvin was always proud of his nieces and nephews, Keith Kielman of Lawrence, Lester W. and Richard Ridgeway of Illinois, Jane Johnson of Marion, Pam Levetzow and Rhonda Oleson of Kansas City, and Cindy Gowan of California.
Calvin was preceded in death by his parents; brother Lester; and sisters Velma Summers, Helen Wray, and Betty Kielman.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2014, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion, where the casket will be open prior to the services. Graveside services and interment will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
Friends may call at the funeral home today between 1 and 8 p.m.
A memorial has been established with Our Savior Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.